Rent Controls and the Belnord

The New York Times
Real Estate Q&A
229 W. 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
December 24, 1995

To the Editor:

Your article on the landmark Belnord's experience with decontrol of luxury apartments (Perspectives, Dec. 10) makes a passing reference to the building's former owner, Lilian Seril, having negotiated tenancy of a rent-controlled apartment as part of her sale of the property in 1994. What an eloquent, perhaps unintended testament to the sheer stupidity of New York's rent laws! Why should a woman, who has just pocketed $15 million, be protected by the government from high rents? Far from favoring our most needy and vulnerable citizens, rent control and rent stabilization are stacked heavily in favor of the well-heeled and well-connected.

James M. McCown, Manhattan